Your 2009 B.C. Manatees -- Latest: Schafer Sidelined

[battlekow]

link

Pitchers: Left-handers Lucas Luetge, Rafael Lluberes and Michael Ramlow and right-handers Rigoberto Almonte, Evan Anundsen, John Axford, Josh Butler, Mike Jones, Brandon Rapoza, Amaury Rivas, Mark Rogers, Mercedes Roque, Mark Willinsky and Robert Wooten.

 

Catchers: Anderson De La Rosa, Martin Maldonado and Brett Whiteside.

 

Infielders: Brent Brewer, Eric Farris, Sergio Miranda, Steffan Wilson and Zelous Wheeler.

 

Outfielders: Cole Gillespie, Caleb Gindl, Lee Haydel and Logan Schafer.

 

Disabled list: Left-hander Zach Braddock.

[Minigoon]

Wow. I know I was the only one that put Rigoberto Almonte in Colby's off season prospect poll, but I did not expect him to make the jump from Arizona Rookie ball to A+.

[DHonks]

Did anyone expect Brett Whiteside to make a jump, too? Hasn't he been backing up in Rookie ball?

[Mass Haas]

The Manatees host the Florida Tech Panthers at 6:00 local time Wednesday night in an exhibition baseball game at Space Coast Stadium in Viera.

[Mass Haas]

Others besides Whiteside and Almonte making the jump directly to high-A from rookie ball (bypassing Wisconsin) are 23-year-old RHP Brandon Rapoza and just-turned 22-year-old Mark Willinsky.

 

On the Brewerfan Player Index, we placed Taylor Green on the DL at Brevard, which is probably where he's tucked in a paper move even though his name's not included in Adam's list.

[battlekow]

Little preview of the Manatees from MiLB.com, with a note about Caleb Gindl being one of the FSL's top prospects:

Brevard County Manatees

2008 Results: 66-72

2009 Manager: Mike Guerrero

What's on deck: Guerrero is back for his second season with the Manatees and 14th in the Brewers organization. Hitting coach Corey Hart returns for a second go-around, and pitching coach Fred Dabney enters his fifth year with Brevard County. ... OF Caleb Gindl, who knocked in 81 runs in the Midwest League last year, is a likely candidate to patrol right field at Space Coast Stadium in 2009. ... Having hit .295 and stole 34 bases in the South Atlantic League in 2008, OF Lee Haydel stands to play next to Gindl in center. ... RHP Amaury Rivas, who won nine games -- including one for Brevard County -- last season, probably will be at the front end of the rotation. ... INF Brent Brewer will be back at shortstop after playing in 76 games for the Manatees in 2008. ... Power-hitting catching prospect Brett Lawrie probably won't be in the Florida State League by Opening Day, but look for the youngster to break in at some point.

Caleb Gindl, OF -- Brevard County

One of the top 20 prospects in the Brewers system, the outfielder hit .307 and stole 14 bases in 19 attempts in the South Atlantic League last year.

[TheCrew07]

Bah... 81 runs in the midwest league? Boo for more editing issues.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Manatees ready for '09 run

Season opener tonight at home

BY PETER KERASOTIS

FLORIDA TODAY

 

It never gets old for Mike Guerrero, even though this is his 16th year managing minor league baseball.

 

"Every day is exciting," said Guerrero, manager of the Brevard County Manatees, who open their season at Space Coast Stadium tonight at 7:05 (6:05 Central) against the Daytona Cubs. "I enjoy what I do."

 

What Guerrero does is develop baseball players. And when you work in an organization like the Milwaukee Brewers, the Manatees' parent club, that's vital.

 

"The Brewers have more homegrown players than most organizations," Guerrero noted.

 

The reason why is obvious.

 

Milwaukee is a small-market franchise, so it's not as if the Brewers can go out and spend $423.5 million on free agents, as the New York Yankees just did this past offseason. In fact, the Yankees' biggest free agent signing was pitcher CC Sabathia, whom they plucked off the Brewers' roster.

 

Again, that makes player development important.

 

And then there's the Brewers' way of developing players.

 

"The Brewers' way," Guerrero said, "is that defense is a priority, situational hitting is a priority, base running is a priority. We're trying to develop fundamentally sound baseball players in all areas. We emphasize the little things."

 

The little things that lead to big league players.

 

Guerrero, 41 and a native of the Dominican Republic, has seen many of his players progress to the majors, and it is satisfying to him. When he was a hitting coach for the Beloit (Wisc.) Snappers in the Midwest League, one of his pupils was local Eau Gallie High graduate Prince Fielder.

 

Fielder had obvious major-league potential. Other players that he's coached that have made it to the big leagues weren't as much of a sure-fire prospect.

 

That's why if you ask Guerrero who the Manatees' top prospects will be this season, the veteran manager smiles.

 

"All 25 of the players on my roster," he said. "Anyone who has a uniform has a chance to get to the big leagues. My job is to polish all of them."

 

Not all of them will shine, though. And sometimes the ones who do, surprise you.

 

"There's always diamonds in the rough," Guerrero said. "All of them have an opportunity to shine. That's what makes this job so exciting.

Helping people. The bottom line is, if my players are successful, then I'm successful."

 

Brevard County Manatees infielder Eric Farris warms up during Tuesday's practice at Space Coast Stadium. (Photo by Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY)

 

http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090409&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=904090317&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=318&Border=0

[CWorley]

Does anyone know where I can find a printable 2009 schedule for the Manatees?

[Mass Haas]

Florida State League Player of the Week -- yee-hah!

 

Zelous Wheeler, Brevard County

.417 (15-36), 6 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 3 BB, 2 SO, 1 SB, .611 SLG

Corner infield prospect Zelous Wheeler ended the week on a seven-game hitting streak for the Manatees, who have won five straight games. The South Atlantic League Midseason All-Star picked up seven RBIs and homered once in three games against Dunedin this weekend. Wheeler is tied for the league lead in hits and is third in average, tied for third in on-base percentage and fifth in RBIs and slugging percentage.

[battlekow]

If you are so inclined, you can vote for Wheeler in a poll of which PotW had the best week on the MiLB.com front page.

[HankSterling]

Gindl and Wheeler are on fire.

[twobrewers]

April 25th, 2009.

 

That is the day I decided to start appreciating Caleb Gindl.

 

I've written him off for two years as too small. Beside, he was only putting up number in Rookie Ball and Low A. I'm sick of him proving me wrong. Caleb Gindl...I am a believer!

[HankSterling]

Im fom his hometown and heard that since he was in littleleague

[battlekow]

Gindl made Kevin Goldstein's Monday Ten Pack at BP:

The South Atlantic League was loaded with prospects last year, so Gindl flew under the radar last year while finishing among the circuit's top five in doubles, hits, and on-base percentage. Standing only 5'9", Gindl is the kind of player who gets the most out of limited tools and needs to keep performing to prevent scouts from focusing on what he doesn't do. He's hit everywhere he's gone, and this year is no different, as after a 7-for-12 weekend that including a pair of home runs, he's now hitting .397/.455/.621 in his first 16 games for the Manatees. If you love him, you compare him to Brian Giles, and while that seems more than a little over the top, the guy sure can hit.

[Mass Haas]

Manatee Press Release:

 

Gindl Named FSL Player of the Week

 

(Viera, FL) Brevard County Manatees right fielder Caleb Gindl has been named the FSL Player of the Week for the period April 20-26. Gindl had an outstanding week, hitting .522 with two home runs and 11 runs batted in. He also drew three walks and stole a base. The left-handed slugger currently leads the Florida State League in batting average (.397), hits (23), and OPS (1.075). He is second in on-base average (.455) and slugging percentage (.621), and third in RBI (16). His strong week at the plate lifted the Manatees to a 5-1 record on their road trip, and they are now sitting on top of the FSL North at 11-5.

 

Gindl, 20, hails from Pensacola, FL, and now resides in nearby Pace. He was named to the postseason all-star team in each of his first two seasons, first for the Pioneer League in 2007, and then in the South Atlantic League in 2008. Gindl was selected by Milwaukee in the 5th round as the 161st overall pick in the 2007 draft.

 

So now we know why 2009 is even more special for Caleb -- home cooking!

[HankSterling]

MH......Pcola is a long way geographically and a world away from Brevard socially.LOL

 

But whatever it is it is working. I checked Caleb as an outfeilder on the reference site and he is in some lofty company.

 

Brewerfan.net is the GREATEST! from a Florida Guy

[battlekow]

Kevin Goldstein on Evan Anundsen:

Anundsen is not a great prospect by any means. A fourth-round pick out of a Colorado high school in 2006, he went 12-8 with a 4.27 ERA in 2008 in his full-season debut while allowing more than a hit per inning. What he is good at is throwing strikes and keeping the ball on the ground, and he's never been better at it than he was Tuesday. A 10:30 a.m. start might have helped him, but give credit where credit is due. With an 88-91 mph fastball with heavy sink and run combined with a solid-but-unspectacular breaking ball/changeup combination, Anundsen now has a 1.44 ERA in four starts for the Manatees, and many are projecting him as at least a big league reliever and maybe even a solid innings eater as a starter. Whatever the assessments, they are dramatically more positive than they were a year ago.

[Mass Haas]

A no-brainer for the Florida State League folks --

 

Florida State League Pitcher of the Week

Evan Anundsen, Brevard County

2-0, 0.64 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 14.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 14 SO

Brewers prospect Evan Anundsen tossed a nine-inning no-hitter on April 28, walking just one and striking out 10. He followed that outing by taking another no-hitter into the fourth inning on May 3. Although he eventually surrendered three hits and a run over five innings in that game, he notched his second win of the week.

[Mass Haas]

It's a "Woot"-Off!

 

We'll post the Brevard press release when available, but closer Rob Wooten is the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Manatees finding success

Coach: Fundamentals, execution key to winning

BY MARK DeCOTIS

FLORIDA TODAY

 

Brevard County Manatees manager Mike Guerrero is in the business of developing players, and he has a simple approach.

 

"I am a big believer that winning develops players," he said while filling out his lineup card before Sunday's home game against Clearwater.

 

And the Manatees have been winning, including a nine-game streak that ended last week. Heading into Monday's game, they had won 11 out of their last 13 and 21 of their last 25. They are 22-9 and lead the Class A Florida State League North by five games over Clearwater.

 

But winning doesn't just happen in baseball. It's especially not easy at the long-season Class A level. Players from many different backgrounds are doing their best to improve and to cope with the grind of the 138-game season, many for the first time.

 

Success comes down to two things: fundamentals and execution of those fundamentals.

 

"When you develop the right way and the players play the game the right way and execute, good things are going to come out," said Guerrero, who is in his 14th season as a manager in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system and his second with the Manatees.

 

"Our guys have done a wonderful job so far and we are looking forward to keep doing it day-by-day, one day at a time."

 

That approach is something Guerrero preaches: Forget about yesterday, don't worry about tomorrow and concentrate on the moment, whether it be stepping up for the next at-bat or facing the next hitter.

 

To that end, although naturally pleased with the progress of his players, it doesn't matter to Guerrero that the Manatees are on a roll.

 

"I don't really care how many games we won in the past," he said. "Today's what is more important."

 

Guerrero isn't concerned about how many games remain in the first half, whether the Manatees finish in first -- guaranteeing themselves a postseason North Division playoff -- or anything in that vein.

 

"When the first half is over, if we're on top, we're on top," he said. "Even when the first half is done, we're not done yet."

 

Development and improvement never end. The Manatees already have lost outfielder and designated hitter Cole Gillespie to Triple-A Nashville, but developing chemistry and an environment where a player can excel are important. Guerrero has a simple approach there, as well: focus on the positives.

 

But still there are expectations.

 

"There's plenty of space to grow in all areas," Guerrero said.

 

The message is resounding in the Manatees clubhouse.

 

"We want to win," said rightfielder Caleb Gindl, a graduate of Pensacola Pace High School who hit a team-leading .333 over the first 30 games, good for third in the FSL. "We're just not going to come out here every day because we're seven games up and lay down. We want to win every game and our goal is not to be up by 10 or whatever. Our goal is to win every single day."

 

It all comes back to Guerrero's mantra: execute and win.

 

"A guy gets on, bunt him over, the next guy gets him in . . . that's what we really concentrate on . . . the situational hitting that we're getting very good at, putting pressure on other teams, stealing bags, doing little things like that. I think we do a very good job of that," Gindl said.

 

"I think they're doing a nice job of development. They really focus on the little things to make you a better player. And they do a very good job of that."

 

The success hasn't been limited to the hitters. The pitching has been stellar and has included a no-hitter from right-hander Evan Anundsen.

 

Right-handed reliever Mark Willinsky, who has an .071 earned run average in 12 2/3 innings, can speak to that.

 

"Timely hitting, timely hitting, we're never out of games because our offense is doing so well and we play defense," said Willinsky who played college ball at Santa Clara University in California.

 

"It's really easy to pitch when guys are making plays behind you."

 

And making those plays has gotten the Manatees to where they are today, no surprise to Willinsky.

 

"When we were in spring training, we were together for a little bit, this team, this group of guys, and you could see there was something special in spring training. I think we have all the right pieces to be a good team."

 

For those good teams, its full circle: Winning develops good players and developing players develops winners.

 

And it all comes down to one thing: execution.

 

"I have to tip my hat to my guys at this time," Guerrero said. "The way they're going about their business is the professional way."

 

Brevard County reliever Mark Willinsky has been solid out of the bullpen for the Manatees this season. ( Photo by Dennis Greenblatt, Brevard County Manatees)

 

http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090512&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=905120332&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[Mass Haas]

Yesterday was just May 22nd, right?

 

(Viera, FL) Rob Wooten etched his name into the Brevard County Manatees' history books on Friday night, picking up his 14^th save of the season to tie the team's all-time record. He pitched a perfect ninth inning in Brevard County's 3-0 win over Dunedin to earn the save. Doug Pettit and Tim McClaskey also accomplished the feat in 1994 and 2001, respectively. Wooten has built a huge lead in the FSL saves race, with his nearest competitors far behind with only seven saves.

This season, Wooten has allowed just one earned run in 18.0 innings for a sparkling 0.50 ERA. He has racked up 25 strikeouts and limited opposing batters to a miniscule .194 batting average. He has not been scored upon in his last 15 appearances, dating back to April 15. After picking up a loss and two no-decisions in his first three outings, Wooten has recorded a save in each of his last 14 appearances.

Wooten, 23, was selected by Milwaukee with the 398^th pick in the 13^th round of the 2008 draft. He is a resident of Goldsboro, NC, and attended the University of North Carolina. Earlier this season, he was named the FSL Pitcher of the Week for May 4-10.

Tyler L. Stover

Director of Media Relations

Brevard County Manatees

[battlekow]

Evan Anundsen showed up in Tuesday's Daily Dish from Baseball America:

Man Among Manatees

High Class A Brevard County righthander Evan Anundsen already has a no-hitter to his credit this season, which he achieved on April 28, but the 21-year-old's dominance in that game has hardly been an isolated incident. He racked up his second double-digit strikeout game of the season yesterday in fanning 11 Fort Myers batters in seven three-hit, shutout innings. His career high for strikeouts in a game entering the season: eight.

A Brewers' fourth-round pick out of high school in '06, Anundsen has gone 6-3, 1.87 through his first 10 starts this season, allowing 41 hits and walking just 14 in 53 innings. He has yet to allow a home run. But best of all, Anundsen's ERA ranks third in the Florida State League, while his 54 strikeouts rank second-though that's a distant second to Clearwater's Kyle Drabek, who has 74.

The article also notes that the Manatees have the best record in MiLB.

[yoshii8]

So when does Anundsen get the bump up to Huntsville?

[804Sox]

Anybody got a scouting report on the kid?

 

He seems to have good stuff and control based on his K and BB rates, and obviously he's translating his talent into production on the mound.

 

What pitches does he feature? How hard does he throw? Does he have the reputation of being more polished than a lot of HS pitchers or is he just blowing lower-level players away with great stuff?